Phoenix, AZ — Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced today the indictment of April McLaughlin (DOB: 05/1975) on a series of fraud charges linked to an animal abuse case that led to her arrest in September 2023. McLaughlin, who operated a dog rescue organization, is accused of deceiving pet owners and rescue groups across the nation while misusing her non-profit status for personal gain.
Investigators from the Chandler Police Department uncovered that McLaughlin, through her organization, Special Needs Animal Welfare League (SNAWL), fraudulently solicited donations by falsely claiming she had access to veterinarians, treatments, and foster homes for dogs with special needs. In total, McLaughlin is alleged to have received more than $47,000 in donations and supplies.
Additionally, the investigation revealed that McLaughlin stole over $160,000 from her elderly mother’s bank account, charging more than $20,000 on her mother’s credit card for personal expenses. These funds were used for home-related costs, flights, restaurants, and other personal expenditures.
McLaughlin now faces the following felony charges:
- One count of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices (Class Two Felony)
- Two counts of Theft (Class Two Felony)
- One count of Aggravated Taking the Identity of Another (Class Three Felony)
- One count of Fraudulent Schemes and Practices, Willful Concealment (Class Five Felony)
- One count of Theft from a Vulnerable Adult (Class Two Felony)
- One count of Theft (Unlawful Use of a Power of Attorney) (Class Two Felony)
- One count of Theft of Credit Card or Obtaining a Credit Card by Fraudulent Means (Class Five Felony)
April McLaughlin is currently being held in jail as the legal process unfolds.
